The Impact of
Too many children are not prepared to enter kindergarten or do not move successfully through school to high school graduation. The diverse educational needs of children and youth are not always met. When these children are unsuccessful, it results in more than $312 billion in lost wages, taxes and productivity over their lifetimes...and that impacts all of us.
investing IN
ACROSS THE NATION, UNITED WAYS ARE WORKING TO CUT BY HALF THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO DROP OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL BY 2018. It’s an ambitious goal, but with more than 1.2 million children dropping out of school each year, how can we not work to end America’s education crisis? These pages share how your local United Way supports this work:
our investments yield: An engaged community where each child develops and succeeds academically, socially and emotionally.
the state of
education
2013-2014
$764,010
•
United Way
The average wait for a childcare voucher in 2011 was 8 months.
Source: Buncombe County DSS’s Subsidy Unit
Investment in
•
Education
1/3 of NC children live in households where no one has an education beyond high school.
Source: Commission to Build a Healthier America, 2007
•
community-level Results we Support:
In 2011, 21.7% did not graduate in 4 years, based on the Buncombe County cohort graduation rate.
2013-2014 Investment
Source: NC Department of Public Instruction
$256,408
$246,098
$54,349
Children from birth to kindergarten attend high-quality, affordable early care and education programs. Youth strengthen the social and basic life skills they need for success.
A track record of success Results of our 2011-2012 investments:
3,000
Actual Lives Improved
3,171
Parents, caregivers and the community increase their support of the academic success of all children.
Expected Lives Improved
2,000
$163,021
Children performing below grade level increase their basic academic skills.
$44,134
Students with disabilities or special needs have diverse educational options.
2,849
1,000
0
ROI in Education: 112%
But there’s still more work to be done. That’s where you come in! Turn the page for more information about our important work and how your Giving, Advocating and Volunteering are making a real difference in people’s lives.
‘13-’14 expected return on investment:
How we reach our goals:
342 children will attend high quality, affordable early care education programs,
academic support
Skills-Building
summer enrichment
READERS
After-School Programs
NUTRITION EARLY CHILDCARE enrichment conflict resolution Services for activities Children with tutoring Disabilities MENTORING homework help
2,329 youth will strengthen social and basic life skills, 388 parents, caregivers and the community will increase their support of the children’s academic success, 458 children will increase their basic academic skills,
character building
90 students with disabilities or special needs will have
Literacy leadership
development
Early Care Education
34%
Social & Basic Life Skills
Academic Skills
300
20
10
Hours were donated by focus area volunteers
Programs receive funding in Education
Programs receive 3-year contracts
FAST FACTS
diversifying our investments
diverse educational options, and much more.
21%
BELK PARTNERS WITH HANDS ON TO BEAUTIFY LOCAL SCHOOLS Support of Academic Success
LIVE UNITED
7%
Devin’s Story
Diverse Learning Options
6%
32%
Devin was "too cool for school," one of those middle school boys who refused to respond to adults, participate in activities or follow directions. His defiant, distracting behavior extended beyond the classroom to the YMCA's 21st Century after-school program at Enka Middle, and he was suspended temporarily from participating. When he returned, he was placed in the Make a Difference Club, a service-learning group of the YMCA's program and the Community School pilot project, a collaboration with United Way and other partners. Devin got off to a rough start, refusing to help with the students' greenhouse. But over time, he began to engage with the group and even helped rake and bag leaves and shovel soil to beautify the media center courtyard. After talking with Devin about his aspirations to run his family's farm, Nicole, an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer working with the Community School, realized the club had given him an opportunity to develop his skills and connect with peers and adults in a meaningful way. Now, Devin's attendance and engagement in school is improving and his participation in after-school programs has increased. At the end-ofyear Enka Community Fair, he won a raffle prize - a locally-sourced, Appalachian foods cookbook - which he gave to his mother for Mother's Day.
This spring, Belk employees celebrated the company’s 125th anniversary with 125 Days of Service, giving back to the communities in which they do business. To coordinate their projects at Oakley, Avery Creek and Hazelwood elementary schools, they worked with Hands On Asheville-Buncombe, United Way’s volunteer center. Belk employees built bookcases and picnic benches, created an outdoor classroom and plant beds, painted a mural and read to the students. Thanks to everyone who supported these projects and local schools!
Community partners in education: In Real Life, Volunteer Outreach and Training (Asheville City Schools Foundation); Big Brothers Big Sisters of Buncombe County (Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC); Learning Centers (Children First/ Communities in Schools); Girl Scout Leadership Outreach (Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont); Girls on the Run/Girls on Track (Girls on the Run); Youthful HAND (Housing Authority of the City of Asheville); Community Child Care Center, Early Learning Center (Irene Wortham Center); Augustine Project (Literacy Council of Buncombe County); Youth Conflict Resolution (The Mediation Center); Early Care and Education Montmorenci and Riceville (Mountain Area Child and Family Center); NEW! School-Based Coaches (Read to Succeed); 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Project RISE, Summer Discovery (YMCA); Child Care Center, MotherLove, School Age (YWCA)